Ntoto

[jamescfm]

President Umoja calls snap parliamentary election
22 February 5315

Seven weeks after his suspension of parliament, President Ariel Umoja has called an early election. In an effort to end almost two months of political crisis, the president announced the election will be held before the end of March. In a televised announcement, he said “the Ntotoan people must have their voices heard”.

Umoja’s announcement follows a prolonged political standoff between the government and the political opposition. After last year’s general election, there has been a period of divided government, owing to the success of the opposition New Popular Alternative in the parliamentary vote. The party’s leader Liel George has demanded decisive action against corruption in the Ntotoan government but Umoja has described this as partisan obstructionism. The deadlock peaked when the opposition refused to approve a new budget proposal at the end of last year.

Since then, the president has faced pressure from across the political spectrum, and there have been protests throughout the country. In a major blow to his authority, the Supreme Court last week ruled Umoja’s suspension of parliament was unconstitutional. Despite the ruling, the legislature has not yet resumed functioning.

Though opposition politicians have welcomed the announcement, there are still concerns about the fairness of the upcoming election. Umoja’s decision appears to be aimed at restoring legitimacy to his presidency, but his supporters have faced persistent accusations of voter intimidation. New Popular Alternative continue to top most opinion polls, but it unclear how this will translate when voters head to the polls next month.